Tiny Buzzing Bees at Hive, Partial But Very Charming Early 19th Century Album Amicorum Needlepoint primitive pencil box purchased at the Nashville show

purchased at the Nashville show from an Iowa based dealer from whom I wished to buy everything--because for me

visits to Boston always meant Filene's Basement--the original and ultimate bargain basemen--at Downtown Crossing

which seems apt

14 1/2" x 11 5/8"

is the printed right border of the image

Tiny Buzzing Bees at Hive, Partial But Very Charming Early 19th Century Album Amicorum Needlepoint primitive pencil box purchased at the Nashville showI am guessing that this small, very fine (impossibly so!) needlepoint was once part of an early 19th century German "Album Amicorum" or friendship book a collection of small mementos from friends and family (watercolors, drawings, handwritten messages, and often small needlepoints) of a certain size, housed in a special box. Clearly, much of the paper square it was once mounted to, with gold foil border, is gone but I was so completely taken with the